Pressure-regulating mechanism



Nov. 4. 1924. 1,513,807

F. M. FURBER PRES SURE REGULATING MECHANI SM Filed March `28 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 4 w24.

Filed March 28, 1919 2 Sheena-5mn 2 .n1-EF,

Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK IVI. FUR/BER, OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED'SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OIF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

Application led March 28, 1919.

To all Iwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FREDERICK ML FURBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Revere, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Pressure-Regulating Mechanisms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to mechanism for controlling the pressure between automatically actuated tools for operating upon shoes and the work treated by them, and in particular to mechanisms for controlling the pressure between the tools and the work in automatic edge-setting or burnishing machines.

In machines of the general type referred to, the shoe is ordinarily clamped on a jack and presented to the tool which is moved over the surface to be treated by automatically produced relative movement between the tool and the work, and means are provided for producing pressure between the work andv tool as the two are relatively moved.

To secure uniform results throughout the portions of the work treated by the tool, the pressure between the work and tool should remain substantially constant throughout the portions of the work treated. Owing to the varying curvature of the surface treated by the tool, however, it is found that lthe pressure between the work and the tool will vary along dierent portions of the work, and, since the quality or character of the work done will directly depend upon the pressure existing between the work and tool, non-uniform and, in some cases, unsatisfacM tory results are secured. The lateral or side portions of the forepart edge of a shoe, for example, are nearly fiat or straight in whole or in part, the toe is much more curved, and, in some special styles of shoes, may be quite sharp, while the contour from the forepart to and along the shank presents a more or less abrupt reverse curve. These various contours of the work succeed one another so rapidly as the work and the tool are relatively moved to present different portions of the work to the action of the tool that the known arrangements involving springs and PRESSURE-REGULATING IVIECHANISM.

Serial No. 285,715.

weights are not capablel of responding to the demands of the work and fail to maintain a uniform pressure. On the other hand, such variations of pressure as do take place are unrelated to the necessities of the work and produce non-uniform effects in different parts of the shoe or sole edge.

An important feature of the present invention consists of means for maintaining the pressure between the work and the tool constant as the work and thetool are relatively moved, so that substantial uniformity in the finished product may be secured. In the machine shown a fluid pressure means is provided arranged to exert uniform pressure on the tool irrespective of its'position. While the pressure maintained between the work and the tool may be suitable for the treatment of some portions of the work, or even most of it, it may not be adapted for the treatment of other portions. At the junction of the forepart and shank, for eX- ample, where y the curve of the forepart merges into or unites with the curve ofthe shank, there is usually a corner more or less sharp or abrupt, which is liable to be crushed or deformed by the pressure between the work and the tool, since it is not able to stand the full pressure found suitable to finish or set the sole edge along the more straight or less abruptly curved portions.

Another important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of novel means for automatically controlling the application of pressure between the work and the tool at a predetermined part or parts of the work. In the machine shown means operated in time relation to the relative traverse of the work and tool is provided to open the control valve of the fluid pressure means.

Other features of the present invention comprise certain arrangements and novel combinations of parts which, in addition to the features above set forth, will be herein described and definitely set forth in the claims.

In the drawings which show the present vinvention embodied in the automatic edge setter described in the patent to Keall, Gouldbourn & Jerram No. 1,07 8,6841: j

Figure l is a side elevation of a machine, some of the parts being broken away for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a detached sectional detail on an a, as indicated in Fig. 1.

enlarged scale of the pressure or reaction mechanism for controlling the pressure between the work and the tool;

Fig. 3 is a front view, partly in' section and with; parts broken away, showing the pressure controlling mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, some of the parts being omitted and others broken away for clearness of illustration.

The tool which, in thepresent illustrated form of the invention consists of an edge setting tool 10, is carried in the head 11 in which it is vibrated in a substantially horizontal plane to act uponA the edge of a shoe The head 11 is supported by the link members 12, 13, the former of which is vpivotally connected to the pressure lever 14, and the latter of which is also pivotally connected to the pressure lever 14 by means of a bell crank 15 which is vpivoted on the pressure lever and has its extremities pivoted to the member 13 and a link 16, the lower end of which is connected pivotally to the main frame of the machine at y17, Fig. 1. The pressure lever 14 is pivo- `tally supported .on the mainframe of the machine at 18, and rotation vof the pressure lever about its pivot 18 causes the tool 10 to move to the right or left in Fig. 1. The members 12, 13, 14, and 16 constitute a parallel-motion mechanism which may be substantially asy more fully described in the Patent No. 1,078,684 hereinbefore re- The shoe t is clamped in a jack 19 mounted on a shaft 2O which is controlled by mechanism which permits it to move in a horizontal plane and to turn about a vertical axis, as described in said patent. A cam 21 on the shaft is automatically rotated and translated in a horizontal plane. in order to turn the shoe from one sideto the other and keep its edge presented to the tool 10. Dur-` ing the operation of the machine theV shoe and'tool are relatively moved to present different portions of the sole edgeto the action n of the tool and since the mechanism for segment 22 26. The rod or plunger 26 and the rack 23 are supported for slidino movement in suitable supports, such as the casing or guides 27. The rod or plunger 26 has a reduced portion 28 where itl passes through the guide or support 27 and a channel 29 leads from the outer surface of the rod or plunger' 26 inward to 'the interior of the cylinder' 25 which, as before explained, is carried by the plunger or rod 26. L

An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe 31 are in communication with the casing adjacent the reduced portion 28 of the rodor plunger 26, the construction being such that the fluid which may be preferably oil under press-ure, will flow freely from the inlet pipe 30 into the space surrounding the contracted portion 28 of the rod or plunger 26 and flow through the opening 29 into the cylinder 25 below the piston 24. The outlet pipe 31 has a pop valve 32, the stem 33 of which is forced up by a spring 34 interposed between the valve casing and an adjustable nut 35 threaded to the upper portion of the valve stem 33, the construction being such thatby adjustment of the nut 35 upon the valve stem, the tension of the spring 34.1nay be varied to hold the valve 32 to its seat at any desired pressure. The valve 32 opens 'downwardly and the outlet pipe 31 communi- 'ca-tes with the valve chamber above the valve 32, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that by adjustment' of the spring 34, the pressure necessary for opening the valve 32 to permit outflow of the fluid, may be adjusted as desired. rIhe fluid pressure may beobtained from any suitable source, either a head of fluid or from a pump.

The rod or plunger 26 may have its lower end projecting into a dashpot 36 for absorbing the shock when the pressure is taken off the tool, as will hereinafter more lfully appear. Connectedto the rod or plunger `26 is a manually operated controlling lever 37 which may be pivoted at 38 to a part fixed to the machine frame and' connected by a link 39 witha collar 40, Fig. 2, secured to the rod or plunger 26. Interposed between I the collar 40 *and av shoulder 41 formed in the casing or supportl 27, is a spring 42 normally acting to move the rod or plunger 26 downwardly but yieldable on movement of the controlling lever 37 contraclockwise, viewingFigs. 1 and 2, to permit the rod or plunger 26v to be moved upwardly.

From the construction described, the yrod or plunger 26 and its associated cylinder and piston, constitutes a two-part pressure transmitting element acting when the controlling lever 37 is turned contraclockwise as de` scribed, to move the tool and work into pres,-

sure relation, and the valve controlled fluid pressure, acting through the cylinder 25 and piston 24, serves to maintain such pressure constant and uniform, as vdefined by the tension of the spring 34.

At certain portions of the work it may be desirable to relieve the pressure between the work and the tool. Thismay occur at any part of the work or along the sole edge,

lll)

inteso? but isparticularly the case along that portion where the curves of the forepart and the shank merge into each other especially where certain forms of freak styles are being treated as, for instance, spade shank shoes. To effect this relief of the pressure at a desired part of the shoe, the present embodiment of the invention provides a rod 43 mounted for sliding movement in a guide 44 and preferably arranged in line with the upper end portion of the valve stem 33.

The rod 43 is adapted to be reciprocatedlongitudinally by a rack and pinion which, in the present instance of the invention, comprises aV series of rack teeth formed on the rod 43 which are engaged with the idler pinion 45 which, in turn, is actuated from the toothed segment 46 by the eccentric 47, on the shaft 20, as indicated yin Fig.` 4. In the present instance of the invention the eccentric 47 has an eccentric strap 48 embracing the same and from the strap 43 extends the arm 49 jointed at 50 to the toothed segment 46, the construction being such that as the shaft 20 is rotated the rod 43 will be reciprocated in its guides. y

The rod 43 may have secured thereto means for contacting with the upper end of the valve stem'33 as the rod 43 is reciprocated to thereby open the valve 32 and release or modify the pressure between the work and tool. In the present instance of the invention the rod 43 has adjustably secured thereto the two cams 51 one of which may act-upon the valve stem to open the valve 32 and relieve the pressure between the tool and the work asthe tool acts upon or passes Aalong a portion of the sole edge at the outside of the tread surface and the other of which may similarly act to relieve the pressure between the tool and the work as the tool moves along a portion of the sole edge at the inner side ofthe tread surface. By suitable variation in the vform or character of the means for automatically acting upon the valve stem 33, it is possible to determinately vary the pressure between the tool and the work at any part of the worlror modify or relieve the pressure altogether. v

The operation of the machine is as follows:

By suitable means, such as a pumpor head, the fluid in the cylinder 25 is maintained under a pressure determined by the adjustment of the spring 34. As the shoe is turned from one side to the other by the shaft 20, as more fully dsecribed in the patent heretoforecalled to attention, slight movements to the right or left as seen in Fig. 1 vof the point of contact of its sole edge with the tool 10 will occur, the pressure lever 14 moving correspondingly to maintain the contact. ln heretofore existing machines of this general type, such movements of the tool ycarrying mechanism have altered the pressure of the tool on the work. In the present invention, however, the valve 32 is set to maintain the pressure in the cylinder 25 which will give the desired reaction between the tool and the work through the piston and rack and segment. Vhen a slight movement of the pressure lever 14 allows the piston to yield upwardly, the valve 32 closes and the pressure of the Huid moves the piston 24 to maintain uniform pressure between the work and the tool. When the pressure lever 14 moves in the opposite direction the piston 24 is forced downwardly thereby opening the valve 32 which has been previously set or adjusted, and the pressure between the work and tool remains un-.y changed.

Thus, regardless of the position of the pressure lever 14 and of the piston in the cylinder, substantially uniform pressure is maintained in the cylinder and between the work and the tool.

When the controlling lever 37 is released and swungl to the right or'clockwise in Figs. 1 and 2, the piston will moveA to the upper head of the cylinder and the whole system shown in F ig. 2 will be moved to the left by the spring 42, and the tool will be moved back from the shoe.

l/Vhen a predetermined part of the work is presented to the tool whereat the pressure is to be modified or entirely relieved, the automatic action of the cams or other parts carried by the rod 43 act upon the end of the stein 33 to automatically depress or open the valve and relieve the fluid pressure in the cylinder and7 perforce, the pressure between the shoe and the tool.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Let` ters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine for operating upon shoes including mechanism formaintaining uniform pressure between a tool and work having abrupt changes of outline, the combination of a work support, a tool movable into different positions by the changing outline of the work, means for producing relative movement of the work and tool to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the changing outline of the work, and means for maintaining unvarying pressure between the work and the tool as the point of operation of the tool is moved along the abruptly changing outline.

2. In a machine for o erating u-pon shoes, the combination of a too means for producing relative movement between the shoe and tool to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the shoe, means for producing pressure between kthe shoe and tool, and means for maintaining the pressure between relatively moved.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, means 'tor producing relative movement between the work and tool that the tool may act, along the changing contour of the work, pressure producing means actinnv through the tool to `'produce pressure between the work and tool including pressure controlling means for automatically maintaining the pressure constant between the work and tool as the work and tool are relatively moved sovthat abrupt vchanges of contour are brought opposite the tool.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool movable into different positions by the changing contour of the work as the tool and work are relatively moved to present different portions'of the work to the action of the tool, and pressure producing and controlling means acting automatically to maintain an unchanging pressure between thework and tool as they are relatively moved in spite oi. sharp breaks in the contour of the work.

6. In a. machine ot'the class described, the combination ot' a work support, a tool movable into different positions by the work as the work and tool vare-relatively moved topresent different portions of the' work to the action of the tool, pressure producing means responsive to the movements of the tool, and means ltorv maintaining the pressure produced by the pressureproducing means constant as the tool is moved into different positions by the'work. l

7. In a machine lof the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, means for producing pressure between the work and tool as they are relatively moved topresent diiterent portions of the work to the action of the tool, and means acting automatically for maintaining the pressure constant-throughout a portion of the 'work land tor'relieving the pressure at predetermined portions of the wo-rk. ,v

8. Amachine of the class described, comprising, `in combination, a work support, a tool for acting along different portions ot the work as the work and tool are relatively moved, fluid pressure means for producing pressure between the work and ythe'tool, and

'means acting automatically to changethe 10. In a machine of the class described,

comprising, in combination, a work support, a tooll for acting along different portions of the work as the work and tool are relatively moved, fluid pressure meanstor producing pressurebetween the work andthe tool, and automatic means for' modifying vthe pressure produced by the pressure'producing means at a. predetermined portion othe work. K j* 7 l1. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a work support, a tool for.

acting upon different portions olf' the work, and fluid actuated means for maintaining unvarying pressure between the work and the tool as the tool and Work are relatively moved.

12. In av machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool for acting upon diierent portions of the work, Huid actuated means for maintaining unvaryingpressure between the work andthe tool as the tool and work are relatively moved, and automatic means acting through the fluid means toA modify'the pressure between the work and tool at a predetermined part of the work. i

' 13. A pressure regulating device for edge setters, comprising, in combination, a two part pressure transmitting element, a tool, n

connections between the tool and the; two part pressure transmitting "element, means for exerting pressure through said two `part element to the tool, and means acting automatically for permitting relative movement of the two parts of the transmitting element for controlling the pressure exerted by the pressure mea-ns. f

14. A pressure regulating device for edge setters, comprising, in combination, atw'o part pressure transmitting element, a tool,`

connections between the tool and the two part pressure transmitting element,fluid actuated means for exerting pressure between the work and the tool through Vthe two art element, and means for maintaining the uid pressure constant.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination ot a Work support, a tool for acting along the edge of a shoe as the tool and shoe are relatively moved,` a pres# lsure transmitter for maintaining pressure between the edge of the shoe and tool and movablev by the tool to different positions as it conforms to t-lie changing contour of the shoe, and automatic means for maintaining the pressure between the shoe and tool invariable as the transmitter is moved by the tool.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, fluid pressure means for producing pressure bet-Ween the work and tool as they are relatively moved to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the work, and pressure relieving means acting automatically to relieve the pressure between the work and tool at predetermined portions of the work.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, means operable at will for moving the tool and work into operative relation that the tool may act along different portions of the work as the tool and work are relatively moved, means for producing pressure between tlie work and tool when they are in operative relation, and means responsive to the varying contour of the work for maintaining tlie pressure between the work and tool of constant amount as the work and tool are relatively moved.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, fluid pressure actuated means for maintaining pressure between the Work and tool as they are relatively moved to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the work, and a valve for maintaining the pressure exerted by the fluid pressure actuated means of equal amount as the work and tool are relatively moved.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support,v a tool, fluid pressure actuated means for inaintaining pressure between the work and tool as they are relatively moved to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the work, a valve for maintaining the pressure exerted by the fluid pressure actuated means of equal amount as the work and tool are relatively moved, and means for automati cally opening the valve to modify the pressure between the worlrand tool at a predetermined portion of the work.

20. In an edge setter, the combination of a. tool for acting along the edge of a shoe, pressure means for producing pressure between the shoe and tool as they are relatively moved, means for determinately adjusting said pressure, and means acting automatically for relieving the pressure of the tool against the edge of the shoe at predetermined portions of the shoe.

21. In an edge setter, the combination of a tool for acting along the edge of a shoe, a two part plunger for moving the tool into Contact with the shoe, pressure exerting means for relatively moving the two parts of the plunger for producing pressure of the tool against the shoe, and automatic means for relieving the pressure of the tool against the shoe at a predetermined portion of the shoe. i

.22.A In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, means for producing pressure between the shoe and tool as they are relatively moved to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the shoe, means for determinately adjusting the amount of pressure to be exerted between the shoe and tool, and means for automatically maintaining the adjusted pressure unchanged as the shoe and tool are relatively moved.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work support, a tool, means for producing pressure between the shoe and tool as they are relatively moved to transfer the point of operation of the tool along the shoe, means for determinately adj usting` the amount of pressure to be exerted between the shoe and tool, and means for automatically releasing the pressure between the shoe and tool at a predetermined part of the shoe.

24e. In a machine of the class described, a shoe jack, a tool, means for carrying the point of operation of the tool along the work, and automatic means for maintaining constant pressure between the tool and work comprising a cylinder and a piston one of which is connected to one of the tool or ack, and the other of which is connected to the frame of the machine, and means for maintaining constant pressure iii the cylinder irrespective of the position of the tool or j ack, respectively.

,25. In a machine of the class described, a shoe jack, a tool, means for carrying the point of operation of the tool along the work, and automatic means for maintaining constant pressure between the tool and work comprising a cylinder and a piston one of which is connected to the tool and the other of which is connected to the frame of the machine, and means for maintaining constant pressure in the cylinder irrespective of the position of the piston, comprising a pop valve adjustable to maintain any desired pressure.

26. In a machine of the class described, a shoe jack, a tool, means for carrying the point of operation of the tool along the work, and automatic means for maintaining constant pressure between the tool and work comprising a cylinder and a piston one of which is connected to the tool and the other of which is connected to the frame of the machine, and means for maintaining conpressure, and means operated in time relation to the relative traverse of the Work and toolto release the pop valve at a predeter mined point.

27. A machine of the class described, comrisin@ in combination a Work sua ort a tool for acting along different portions of the Work as the Work and tool are relatively FREDERioK M. FURBER. 

